AU III rear end wandering

[nassi]

Hi all, sorry to make my first post a question but I've searched through this monster of a forum but cant find an answer.

Recently my AU III XR8 sedan has been handling very poorly on occasion.
If I hit an irregular bit of road it feels like I have a flat rear tyre as the car begins to shake quite badly in the rear. Its almost like someone shaking it from side to side. This can also be happen in left hand corners.
There isnt any noticable noise. Ive put it on te hoist but cant see anything broken or rubbing.
TIA
cheers.

[mik]

the top shocker hat/mount on the irs can get a bit sloppy as they get old, this will effect the handling , eventually they get flogged out start making a bit of noise, i think they get do soft before they get noisey, if you lay the back seats forward, and pop the mushroom clip out of the carpet on the shock tower bit you can give them a bit of a look,
actually when one of mine wore out i left the covers open back seat down and watched working them while my brother drove for couple of k`s, it was obvious to me the top rubber mount was kaput,
the irs also has some liquid filled bushes, they can lose the liquid and still look ok for a while but i suspect not be doing the job they once did.
welcome to the Aff.

[nassi]

Thanks Mik, i had read about that top shock mount but wasnt sure as everyone mentioned noise and nobody seemed to notice the the wandering rear end which was the bit the scared the heck out of me.
cheers and thanks for the welcome.

[mik]

could be other things as well but the shocker mounts are pretty easy to check and think and a good place to start, i had one on the way out, for a little while, during that time i was out and did a fast u turn due to oncoming traffic, for the first time since i owned the car the back end got loose/started to slide in dry weather on good surface , and in a maneuver that i`ve done in past pushing harder and it hung on like glue,
while it was on the hoist you did`nt notice any looseness or play in the wheels, hub or tie rod end?

[nassi]

Originally Posted by mik

could be other things as well but the shocker mounts are pretty easy to check and think and a good place to start, i had one on the way out, for a little while, during that time i was out and did a fast u turn due to oncoming traffic, for the first time since i owned the car the back end got loose/started to slide in dry weather on good surface , and in a maneuver that i`ve done in past pushing harder and it hung on like glue,
while it was on the hoist you did`nt notice any looseness or play in the wheels, hub or tie rod end?

No I couldnt find any looseness or see any rub marks, no sign of wear.
Despite its age its still a fairly low mileage car and was always excellent during the track days its been on. In fact its only limit was the dick behind the wheel.
Thanks again mate.

[mik]

no worries, yes my xr6 has a problem now and again with the dick behind the wheel too ,
mines done 201,000 k`s , aside from replacing the shockers earlier on with a performance brand(the old ones where still fine), the only suspension parts i have replaced so far are the top shocker hat mounting rhs, left was ok, i still have all original ball joints and bushes, although recently i did notice the outer liquid filled bushes on the irs lower control arms are showing signs now of needing replacement,
it might even pay to give yours a wheel alignment at both ends and see how it goes, last one i had was about 80 buks from memory, not a lot of coin.
let us know how you go.
cheers mik.

[nassi]

Thanks Mik, bum end wheel alignment may be a good call.
cheers

[nassi]

Well finally found the issue, LH rear wheel bearing has let go. Now for the fun part.

[mik]

that`s a bugger, at least you know what it is, they can be a bit of a sod of a job, to get get the old bearings out without buggering something, last time i did mine the hub assembly was so tight it damaged my mates press, i took the hubs to a diff place with a bigger press , they could not get them apart without stuffing the backing plates, (it happens),
i have heard a bloke or two getting them apart without drama`s......but most reports they are a pain, gonna let someone else do it or have a go yourself?

[nassi]

Definately let a shop do it. IF i can find one willing.

[mik]

good move i think, after doing it once i would definatly pay some one next time for that job.

[mik]

how did you go??

[nassi]

Booked in for next Monday at the local diff shop.
cheers

[nassi]

All better now, new bearing and hub.

[mik]

good to hear mate, if i may be a sticky nose how much did it cost?, did they replace the assembly?

[nassi]

Be as sticky as you like Mik....
It needed the new bearing, the hub was absolutely stuffed and the brake pads were also buggared. Also had an O ring replaced on the tranny. All up $990. Not cheap but it was difficult to find someone prepared to take it on. the invoice isnt itemised so sorry I cant give a breakdown.
cheers

[mik]

cheers Nassi.